The Minnesota Twins find themselves in familiar territory: sitting near the bottom of the standings and facing another pivotal trade deadline. After a significant roster overhaul last season, the club is once again expected to be sellers, and this year, the spotlight is firmly on their All-Star ace, Joe Ryan.

According to a recent poll of 20 MLB executives conducted by MLB.com's Mark Feinsand, three insiders predict the Twins will finally pull the trigger on a Ryan trade. "It seemed like [Ryan] was someone that they were considering trading last year," one AL executive noted. "They're looking like they'll be in a similar spot this year."

From a strategic standpoint, moving Ryan makes perfect sense for a rebuilding club. The right-hander is slated for free agency after the 2027 season, meaning his trade value will never be higher than it is right now. The Twins have already demonstrated their willingness to deal top talent for a strong return, as seen in last year's Jhoan Duran trade with the Philadelphia Phillies. A starter of Ryan's caliber is sure to command a premium package of prospects.

On the mound this season, Ryan has posted a solid 3.76 ERA across seven starts. While that's a slight dip from his 2024 form, his 118 ERA+ remains well above league average—more than enough to attract a contender looking to bolster their rotation down the stretch.

Interestingly, Ryan (3 votes) finished just behind Miami Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara (4 votes) in the poll of most likely trade candidates. After swirling rumors last summer and throughout the offseason, it appears the baseball world is bracing for the Twins to finally commit to a decision on their star pitcher.